Coin depository



Dec. 15, 1964 F. OBRIEN 3,161,352

COIN DEPOSITORY Filed March 15, 1962 2 FIG! a7 J1 W 71 3 72 3A I T 4/ 73 75 1 INVENTOR. 74 I E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN F lG 5 Q WK ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice Patented Dec. 15, 1964 This invention relates in general to coin-receiving means, and, more particularly, to a coin depository for use with coin-operated mechanisms.

Generally, the various devices and instruments designed for operation responsive to reception of a coin or coins of appropriate denomination, such as, merchandise vending machines and service units, such as, telephones, amusement devices, etc., integrally incorporate the receptacle for such inserted coins. The inclusion of such a receptacle has, unfortunately, indirectly conduced to serious potential damage to, or loss of, these units, as the same being located in public places and very often at isolated points, are subject to rifting with attendant operationimpairing damage, and even to purloining of the entire units. Damage of this character, or the complete loss of the devices financially outweighs substantially the total value of the deposited coins at any one time.

An extremely apt example of this little-known aspect of coin-operated devices is that with respect to public telephones, which, being compact and relatively light-weight, and embodying a coin-receiving chamber, have proved an especial target for purloining. The cost of such a telephone unit is quite dear so that the loss of same through theft for the mere coins therein constitutes an economic loss many times the total amount of the coins in a full chamber. Through close observation manufacturers of public telephones have discovered that dexterous thieves can remove the entire coin-operated telephone from its point of installation, such as, in a booth located on a street or roadwa, within a period of but 45 seconds. After breaking into and emptying the coin chamber, such thieves discard the expensive telephone unit at some obscure point as the same is of no value to them.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a depository for coins inserted within coin-operated devices which is remote from, and independent of, the particular unit or devices to be operated thereby.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository for coin-operated devices which is located within a permanent, non-portable structure physically distinct from the related device so that any unlawful breaking into, and appropriation of coins from, such depository will not involve attendant damage to, or loss of, the particular unit operated by the coins collected, nor allow of loss of such structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository of the type stated which is especially adapted for use with pay telephones and which permits of the utilization of a relatively inexpensive telephone unit.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository which may be most economically produced; which is reliable and durable in usage; the use of which promotes substantial economies in operation of the associated devices and virtually eliminates costly hazards to such devices.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a front view of the telephone supporting section of a conventional telephone booth incorporating a coin depository constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

For purposes of setting forth the present invention, the

same is shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow as utilized in conjunction with a public, coin-operated or so-called pay telephone. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is readily usable with the myriad types of coin-operated devices, whether of the vending machine variety or of the service character, so that the description of the same with reference to a telephone unit is for purposes of illustration only.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings:

B generally designates a conventional enclosed telephone booth wherein 40, 41 refer to adjacent cornerforming walls thereof; there being the usual floor 42 and overhead structure 43. Extending obliquely between walls 40, 41 is a panel 44 being co-extensive herewith and suitably secured along its edges to said walls as by mounting brackets 45. Panel 44 on its outwardly directed face, in its upper portion, carries a telephone unit as indicated at 46; and associated therewith is a coin-energizing mechanism In for receiving coins and incorporating the usual elements for rendering telephone 46 operative.

A relatively extended coin chute 67 progresses downwardly from the coin-energizing mechanism m for limited extension at its lower end into an opening in the upper end of coin receptacle 6% of general box form; said chute 67 being bent or turned slightly rearwardly in its lower portion so that its lower end will be spaced from the inner face of panel 44, for purposes presently appearing. Said receptacle 68 is adapted to be received upon a ledge-forming support 69 fixed to the inner face of panel 44; there being a vertical lateral guide plate or flange 70 projecting from said panel 44 for restraining receptacle 68 against any undesired lateral displacement. Coin receptacle 68 is thus securely retained in operative, coin-accepting position by virtue of support 69, flange 76, and the received, lower portion of coin chute 67, which latter, by abutment against the edges of the penetrated opening, serves as a stabilizer.

Downwardly of support 69 there is suitably mounted on the inner face of panel 44 a horizontal hinge pin 71 which is operatively engaged to the forward edge of a plate 72 contoured in general conformity to the cross sectional area defined by panel 44 and booth walls 40, 41 for effecting a closure for the space therefor. Plate 72 by its hinge mounting is adapted for vertical swinging about the horizontal axis defined by hinge pin 71 for movement between depending or open position, wherein access is permitted to receptacle 68, and horizontal or closed position, wherein such access is denied.

Plate 72 carries along one of its edges on its under surface, the body of a lock indicated T which is of a type generally known as a Chicago lock having a bolt 73 for locking movement into, and unlocking withdrawal from, an opening 74 formed in a vertical reinforcing member 75 secured to booth wall 41, being of characteristic U-shape in cross section.

Spaced downwardly of hinge pin 71, panel 44 is provided with on opening 76 which may, if desired, be of generally rectangular configuration, and which rernovably receives a closure plate 77 equipped with a locking device 78.

Thus, coins deposited in receptacle 68 from chute 67 may be collected by removal of closure plate 77 through operation of locking device 78; whereupon the collector will reach upwardly within 'the space between panel 44 and walls 40, 41 to unlock lock T, by use of an appropriate key, to effect withdrawal of bolt 73., and thereby freepl'ate 72' for downward swinging, to allow thecollector access to receptacle 68. Thereon by a slight rocking and turning manipulation so as to disengage receptacle 68 from its support and its operative relationship to, chute 67, 'said receptacle may be withdrawn downwardly and outwardly through, access opening 76. Coin receptacle 68' may be returned to its position in a facile manner which should be obvious, as the required procedure would be a mere reversal of the removal technique.

The foregoing thus clearly demonstrates the unique character of the present invention, which providesa simple but yet highly efficient means for protecting coinoperatingvde'vices against pilfering and damage by thieves, and thus conduces to the replacement of expensive devices by those more economically produced. The coins received by the device are deposited at a point remote from the device and are'he'nce independent thereof so that any attempts to pilfe'r'the coins would not entail damage to the units. Furthermore, the depository for thecoins is so uniquely located as to render access to the same most difficult, but in any event quite time-consuming, so that one making an unauthorized elTo'rt at removal of thecoin' receptacle might well be detected as a result of the extended elfo'rt 'req'uir'ed'.

Itis obvious that the present inventionma y be utilized with existing coin-operating, devices without requiring any costly modification of the same. e

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination ofthe parts of the Coin Depository may be made and substitutions for those herein shown and disclosed without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described my invention, .what I claim and desire to secure; by Letters Patent is: V Foruse in combination with a coin-operating apparatus having a discharge passage for coins, received, a coindepository located remotely from. the coin-operating apparatus comprising a coinreceptacle, means connecting saidtdischarge passage with said coin receptacle, a plurality ofijuxtaposed connected Walls defining an enclosure for said coin receptacle, means detachably mounting said coin receptacle on the inner face of one of said walls,

there being an opening provided in one of said walls downwardly of the coin receptacle when in mounted position, closure means for said wall opening, and a plate hinged'lymounted on, the inner face of one of said walls downwardly of the, mounted position of said 'coin receptacle and upwardly; of the wall opening, said plate being adapted for movement between horizontal or closed position and vertical or opened position, and locking meansfor securing said plate inhorizontal position for d'enyingaccess to said coin receptacle.

References Gited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,502,999 4150; Shan'n: 232'--1.4 2,570,920 10/51 Cl'ough a 232-16 2,964,237 12/60 Henderson 23-2-16 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

